Receptor Pharmacology
for Neurology and Neuroscience

At Gifford Bioscience, we have extensive experience working with novel therapeutics targeting Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntingdon’s disease as well as psychiatric conditions.

We work with the UK’s Brain Bank network to obtain diseased and control health tissue. Our assays also use NHP and rodent tissue.

Case Study

We applied our expertise in receptor pharmacology to a study investigating the effect of methylone as a rapid-acting neuroplastogen with greater specificity than MDMA. This finding supports methylone’s potential use in the treatment of PTSD and other neuropsychiatric disorders.

Read the publication here.

Determination of drug-evoked release of radiolabeled (A) 5HT, (B) NE or (C) DA by methylone or MDMA from rat brain synaptosomes. Data shown are means ± SEM. N = 3 per group.

Radioligand Binding Assays determine receptor-ligand binding affinity (K_d, IC₅₀, K_i), density of binding sites (B_max) and binding kinetics (k_on/k_off) in cell lines or to native receptors in human or animal tissue.

Autoradiography and Receptor Occupancy determine target engagement of test drugs to receptors in the animal. These assays visualise and quantify receptor-ligand binding interactions in tissue from naive and drug-treated animals.

SPR assesses binding affinity, inhibition (K_d, IC₅₀, K_i) and kinetics of therapeutics at the target of interest (k_on/k_off), or investigate protein-protein interactions.

Functional Cell Signalling Assays are radiometric and fluorescence-based assays to profile the physiological effects of compounds by measuring GPCR activation (GTPγS) and downstream signalling (cAMP, Ca2+, phospho-ERK assay) as a result of agonist, antagonist, or inverse agonist treatment (EC₅₀, E_max, IC₅₀).

Radioimmunoassay and ELISAs monitor receptor expression, detect disease markers using radiolabelled antibodies and determine concentration of targets upon drug treatment.

Uptake and Release Assays measure the transport of radiolabeled compounds or neurotransmitters into cells or synaptosomes; the release of the radiolabeled compounds or neurotransmitters and inhibition by test compounds.

What our Partners say about Gifford Bioscience

From initial inquiry to project debrief, it’s our collaborative style that sets us apart. Our 100% PhD level scientists use their deep expertise to help you solve even the most complex of scientific challenges. Visit our testimonials page to see how our Neurology CRO services have helped our partners achieve quality outcomes in the development of heir novel therapeutics.